Afghan driver paralysed in assault

LONDON, England -- An Afghan taxi driver has been left paralysed from the neck down after an assault during which his attackers made comments about the attacks in the United States, police say.

The 28-year-old driver, who is originally from Afghanistan but now lives in Acton, west London, was attacked by three white men in the early hours of Sunday after an argument over a taxi fare.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman told the Press Association: "During the incident we believe that comments referring to the recent tragic events in America were made. But as yet police have not been able to confirm what was said or attribute these comments to either party."

The driver had picked up the men, all in their early 20s, and a white woman.

He was later found lying in the street outside a in Twickenham, west London, after being hit over the head with a bottle and kicked while lying on the ground.

He was taken to a local hospital where his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to the Charing Cross Hospital where he was in a stable condition but paralysed, police said.